Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony NEX-5

      Sony NEX-C3

      Sony NEX-5
      58
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      60
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      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Sony NEX-C3 and the Sony NEX-5, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Sony NEX-C3 was introduced in August 2011 and Sony NEX-5 was introduced in June 2010. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Sony NEX-C3 Highlights

      • 16 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 12,800 Native ISO
      • 25 Focus Points (25 Cross-type)
      • 3.0" 920k dot Tilting Screen
      • 5.5 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1280 x 720 Video Shooting
      • 30 min Video Recording Limit

      Sony NEX-5 Highlights

      • 14 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
      • 200 - 12,800 Native ISO
      • 25 Focus Points
      • 3.0" 920k dot Tilting Screen
      • Optical (Optional FDA-SV1) Viewfinder
      • 7.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • 30 min Video Recording Limit
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Sony NEX-C3
      4. Advantage of Sony NEX-5
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen and Viewfinder
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Sony NEX-C3 and Sony NEX-5.

      PROS

      Sony NEX-C3

      Sony NEX-5

      •   Video Capture
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Light - 225 g (0.50 lb / 7.94 oz)
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   Video Capture
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Light - 287 g (0.63 lb / 10.12 oz)
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Sony NEX-C3

      Sony NEX-5

      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 400 shots
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 14 Megapixel
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 330 shots


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Sony NEX-C3

      Sony NEX-5

      •   Sensor Resolution - 16 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.5 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 73
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 7.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 69

      Advantage of Sony NEX-C3

      Sony NEX-C3
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sony NEX-C3 over Sony NEX-5.

      Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony NEX-5
      Higher Sensor Resolution 16 Megapixel vs 14 Megapixel
      Lower Native ISO 100 vs 200
      Max Image Resolution 4912 x 3264 vs 4592 x 3056
      Higher DxO Low Light ISO 1083 vs 796
      Higher DxO Color Depth 22.7 vs 22.2
      Higher DxO Overall Score 73 vs 69
      Lighter 225 g (0.50 lb / 7.94 oz) vs 287 g (0.63 lb / 10.12 oz)
      Longer Battery Life 400 shots vs 330 shots

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Sony NEX-C3.

      Sony NEX-3
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      APS-C

      14.2 MP

      Sony NEX-3N
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Sony NEX-5N
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Sony NEX-F3
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Sony NEX-6
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Sony NEX-7
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      APS-C

      24.3 MP

      Sony NEX-5R
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Sony NEX-5T
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Sony a7S
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      Full Frame

      12.2 MP

      Canon 5DS
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      Full Frame

      50.6 MP

      Nikon Z30
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      APS-C

      20.9 MP

      Fujifilm X-A2
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      APS-C

      16.3 MP

      Advantage of Sony NEX-5

      Sony NEX-5
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sony NEX-5 over Sony NEX-C3.

      Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony NEX-5
      Viewfinder vs Optical (Optional FDA-SV1)
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 5.5 fps vs 7.0 fps
      Higher Video Resolution 1280 x 720 vs 1920 x 1080

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Sony NEX-5.

      Sony NEX-6
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Sony NEX-5N
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Sony NEX-5R
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Sony NEX-3N
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Sony NEX-F3
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Sony NEX-5T
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Sony NEX-7
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      APS-C

      24.3 MP

      Sony NEX-3
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      APS-C

      14.2 MP

      Nikon D500
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      APS-C

      20.9 MP

      Nikon D5200
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      APS-C

      24.1 MP

      Sony a9 II
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      Full Frame

      24.2 MP

      Canon 5DS
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      Full Frame

      50.6 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Sony NEX-C3 Sony NEX-5
        Video Capture
        Live View Autofocus
        HDMI Output Mini Type C Mini Type C
        Light225 g (0.50 lb / 7.94 oz)287 g (0.63 lb / 10.12 oz)
        Orientation Sensor
      WEAKNESSES Sony NEX-C3 Sony NEX-5
        Timelapse Recording
        No Face Detection
        No Image Stabilization
        Low Video Resolution1280 x 7201920 x 1080
        Low Video Recording Limit30 min30 min
        No Microphone Input
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi Eye-Fi is possible
        No Built-In Bluetooth
        No Environmental Sealing
        Short Battery Life400 shots330 shots

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Sony NEX-C3 and Sony NEX-5 have 3.0" Tilting screens with 920k dot resolution. Tilting screen makes cameras very useful for photography purposes but not so useful for video shooting.

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      Sony NEX-C3 with Tilting screen


      Optical (Optional FDA-SV1) Viewfinder on Sony NEX-5

      Sony NEX-5 has a built-in Optical (Optional FDA-SV1) viewfinder. It has a 100% coverage. There is no built-in or optional viewfinder available on Sony NEX-C3.

      Sensor

      Sony NEX-C3 features a 16 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.4 x 15.6 mm and a total area of 365 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 12,800. Sony NEX-5 features a 14 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.4 x 15.6 mm and a total area of 243.4 mm2. Its native ISO range is 200 - 12,800.


      Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

      Sensor size chart
      Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
      Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
      Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
      Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
      Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

      Photography Features

      Cameras are equipped with BIONZ processor.


      Lens Mount

      Cameras have Sony E lens mount. Due to their APS-C sensor their crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is equal to 1.5x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5.


      No Image Stabilization

      The cameras do not have image stabilization. On Sony NEX-C3 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Sony NEX-5 nothing can be done. On Sony NEX-5 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Sony NEX-C3 nothing can be done.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Sony NEX-C3 has a Mini Type C HDMI and Sony NEX-5 has a Mini Type C HDMI connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Sony NEX-C3 and Sony NEX-5 come with NPFW50 battery pack with battery life of 400 shots on Sony NEX-C3 and with battery life of 330 shots on Sony NEX-5.


      External Storage Slots

      Cameras have a single SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Sony NEX-C3, and up to 1/4000 sec on Sony NEX-5. Sony NEX-C3 can shoot continuously up to 5.5 fps. Sony NEX-5 can shoot continuously up to 7.0 fps.


      Flash

      Cameras have no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected to both of them via Smart accessory Terminal to Sony NEX-5. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/160 sec on both cameras.

      Physical Parameters

      Sony NEX-C3 body has dimensions of 110 x 60 x 33 mm (4.33 x 2.36 x 1.3") and Sony NEX-5 body has dimensions of 111 x 59 x 38 mm (4.37 x 2.32 x 1.5"). Sony NEX-C3 weighs 225 g (0.50 lb / 7.94 oz) and Sony NEX-5 weighs 287 g (0.63 lb / 10.12 oz).

      Sony NEX-C3

      Sony NEX-5

      110 mm

      60 mm

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      111 mm

      59 mm

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      60 mm

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      59 mm

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      33 mm

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      38 mm

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      Size comparisons of Sony NEX-C3 and Sony NEX-5

      Sony NEX-C3 and Sony NEX-5 for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Sony NEX-C3

      Sony NEX-5

      GOOD
      70
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      GOOD
      70
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Sony NEX-C3

      Sony NEX-5

      AVERAGE
      57
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.5 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 400 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      59
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 7.0 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 330 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Sony NEX-C3

      Sony NEX-5

      AVERAGE
      56
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.5 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 400 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      57
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 7.0 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 330 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Sony NEX-C3

      Sony NEX-5

      GOOD
      72
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      73
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Sony NEX-C3

      Sony NEX-5

      GOOD
      83
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 225 g (0.50 lb / 7.94 oz)
      GOOD
      83
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 287 g (0.63 lb / 10.12 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Sony NEX-C3

      Sony NEX-5

      GOOD
      84
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 225 g (0.50 lb / 7.94 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 400 shots
      GOOD
      83
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 287 g (0.63 lb / 10.12 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 330 shots

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Sony NEX-C3 and Sony NEX-5 and give them scores of 58 and 60 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Sony NEX-C3

      Sony NEX-5

      OVERALL
      58
      OVERALL
      60

      Sensor

      Sony NEX-C3

      Sony NEX-5

      GOOD
      70
      •   Sensor Resolution - 16 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 73
      AVERAGE
      68
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 14 Megapixel
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 69

      Photo

      Sony NEX-C3

      Sony NEX-5

      AVERAGE
      55
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.5 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      AVERAGE
      55
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 7.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec

      Video

      Sony NEX-C3

      Sony NEX-5

      BAD
      9
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      BAD
      16
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit

      Focusing

      Sony NEX-C3

      Sony NEX-5

      AVERAGE
      60
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      AVERAGE
      62
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Sony NEX-C3

      Sony NEX-5

      AVERAGE
      64
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      GOOD
      77
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot

      Connectivity

      Sony NEX-C3

      Sony NEX-5

      AVERAGE
      65
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      AVERAGE
      65
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Sony NEX-C3

      Sony NEX-5

      POOR
      44
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 225 g (0.50 lb / 7.94 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 400 shots
      POOR
      42
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 287 g (0.63 lb / 10.12 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 330 shots


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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